It used to be: job opening + job posting = hire. This formula, in the not so distant past, often equated to a posting on one, or all of the “big three” general job boards: Monster, CareerBuilder or Hot Jobs. With aggregators like Indeed, SimplyHired and LinkUp, social networking and many other factors at play (particularly the economic climate), are job postings even relevant anymore?
While the general job boards have certainly lost ground niche sites have gained plenty and I believe will remain relevant for quite some time. Why? Here are my top three reasons:
· Cost = Added Value: Many niche websites are still inexpensive and a surprisingly high number provide resume access for the duration of the job posting at no additional cost.
· Audience = Quality Over Quantity: Niche sites deliver targeted content, so the larger proportion of site visitors will likely be the right target audience. Many association sites also require that job seekers are members of their organization in order to view job openings. This may decrease the number candidates who view job postings on their site, but it certainly provides a more targeted audience for the employer.
· Passive Job Seekers = Larger Market Share: One of the most coveted groups out there for recruiters is passive job seekers. Sometimes the right person for your job opening just isn’t someone who is actively on the market. Niche sites are go-to destinations and communities for professionals who like to stay in-the-know in their fields. An interesting position may spark interest and convince a mind or two to apply.
